Mathews Library accepting household batteries for recycling

Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District recently expanded its household battery collection. One of its new collection points is Mathews Memorial Library.

"We are happy and proud to be associated with an effort to benefit the environment," Mathews library director Bette Dillehay said.

The Mathews collection bin was placed in late August, and has gotten limited response in the short time it has been set up, Dillehay said. An informative display has been set up with the bin.

Other new collection sites are at the Middlesex library branches in Urbanna and Deltaville. A collection program already was being run in Gloucester with the support and volunteers from Gloucester Clean Community Committee.

Batteries are full of toxic chemicals that should never be thrown into an ordinary landfill, an SWCD release said.

Dillehay said the Mathews library has expanded its environmental book collection in recent years, with more about the environment, the oyster industry, and the Chesapeake Bay.